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State Department advises all Americans overseas ‘to exercise increased caution’ in worldwide alert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

(CNN) — The US State Department on Thursday advised all US citizens worldwide “to exercise increased caution” due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, (and) demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”The issuance of the worldwide caution alert is a significant message amid protests that have erupted throughout the Middle East in response to the Israel-Hamas war, with many demonstrators targeting US diplomatic compounds.In the past week, the State Department has raised the Travel Advisory for Lebanon and Israel to the highest level and has authorized non-emergency US government personnel and family members to depart. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a cable to diplomatic posts worldwide ordering them to undertake emergency security reviews, CNN reported Wednesday.The State Department last issued a worldwide alert in August 2022 in the wake of the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman ...

Walt Disney’s childhood home opens doors for first public tours

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

Rebecca Johnson | Chicago Tribune (TNS)CHICAGO — In Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood, a modest two-story home sits on North Tripp Avenue. While typically unassuming, dozens of people lined up outside it Sunday, some in clothes featuring Mickey Mouse, waiting for a chance to peek inside the green and gray wood cottage.Walt Disney’s childhood home opened to the public for the first time this weekend as part of Chicago Architecture Center’s Open House Chicago. Organizers said they hope to keep Disney’s legacy alive, give insight into how the pioneer of animated cartoon films grew up, and inspire other young people in the neighborhood to pursue their dreams.“We are in an inner city of Chicago, so the understanding of dreaming and doing and achieving, because you truly never know who you’re going to become. You never know who you’re going to inspire,” said Angel Reyes, an ambassador for the home and Miss Illinois USA 2022.Elias Disney, Walt’s father, purchased the property at 2156 N. Tripp...

Crohn’s disease and colitis: Advocates strive to raise awareness, break stigma for ‘invisible’ illnesses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

Lauren J. Mapp | The San Diego Union-TribuneWhen Vista resident Michelle Harvey packed an overnight bag so her son could undergo testing at Rady Children’s Hospital in June 2020, she expected to return home the following day. Instead, Mason Harvey was hospitalized for two months as he was diagnosed and subsequently treated for Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease marked by chronic inflammation in the digestive system.Prior to his hospital stay, a blood test showed that Mason had low levels of hemoglobin — the protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. He weighed about 45 pounds, much lower than the 60 to 120 pounds that is typical for an 11-year-old boy.Mason was diagnosed nine days into his hospital stay, but before he could be sent home, doctors wanted to ensure he was in stable condition. For four weeks of his stay, he was on “gut rest,” meaning he was unable to eat solid foods.“It was pretty hard because I like snacks and stuff, especiall...

The pignoli cookie is a sweet, simple way to time travel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

“We need amaretto with these,” my cookie tester opined.I agreed. So much so that I’d have had it as a shot in my honey-vanilla chamomile as I wrote this. I’m not, though. Because there’s no amaretto in the house. With the holiday season fast approaching, that’s about to be remedied, but even so, I now have two notes to write to myself this morning.Always have amaretto, Amy Drew.And, since the years have clearly done a number on your priorities, always have pignoli cookies.Keep your frostings, fillings and whipped toppings. For me, the pignoli cookie is pretty darn close to perfect. (Amy Drew Thompson/Orlando Sentinel)I just finished baking a batch, and these sweet, chewy-delicious pine nut cookies — with that beautiful lacquer of toasty pine nuts on top — are the stuff of nonna’s kitchen, which may be tied to the holidays (they’re so festive!) or just baking with her on a Sunday while the sauce is going. Maybe it’s your uncle they remind you of. Or mom. Doesn’t matter. The point is ...

Man killed in Mattapan stabbing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

A man has died following a stabbing this morning in a residential area of Mattapan.Boston Police responded to 18 Rugby Road in Mattapan shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday and found a man suffering from a stab wound outside the home at that address, according to BPD Deputy Superintendent Paul McLaughlin, who spoke from the scene in the afternoon.Boston EMS treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, McLaughlin said.A Honda CR-V crossover SUV was towed from the scene, but McLaughlin did not provide details on how the car may relate to the incident.While the investigation is in its early stages, McLaughlin said that the suspect — who has not been found — and the victim were known to each other, which he said reduces possible concerns for the safety of other residents of the neighborhood.This is a developing story.

These Florida researchers are giving depressed, anxious people psychedelics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

A therapy session with Patricia Brown starts like any other. She leads her clients into a peaceful, quiet room, draped in beige and generic, calming artwork.Then her clients lie down, close their eyes, put on a blindfold and headphones, and trip for six hours on psilocybin, the psychoactive chemical found in magic mushrooms.Brown is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and head of clinical operations at CNS Healthcare. CNS in Thornton Park and APG Research near the Central Business District are two global clinical trial sites testing whether microdoses of psychedelics — typically about one-tenth of a recreational dose — can help people with depression and anxiety.A growing number of clinical trials suggest single doses of psychedelics can have long-lasting impacts on the brain, leading the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue “breakthrough therapy” designations to these drugs beginning in 2017.These treatments could have untapped potential for helping the estimated one in three pe...

Newsom to visit Israel ahead of China trip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will make a surprise visit to Israel on Friday before embarking on his climate-focused trip to China, his office announced Thursday. “The governor adjusted his planned international trip and will briefly visit Israel ahead of going to China,” said Erin Mellon, director of communications for his office, in a statement. “While in Israel, the governor will meet with those impacted by the violence,” Mellon added.Newsom is set to land in Israel on Friday and depart later the same day. Meanwhile, the state of California will also be shipping some medical supplies to the region. The governor still will travel next week to China, where he intends to explore potential climate partnerships, strengthen economic initiatives and encourage cultural exchanges. Further details about his specific plans and whereabouts in Israel were not yet available at this time. 

Jim Ratcliffe could have a major say in Manchester United if he buys a minority stake in the club

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — If British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is successful in his attempt to buy a minority stake in Manchester United, he could end up with a major say in the running of the underperforming club.The owner of petrochemicals giant Ineos appears to be ready to invest in the storied English soccer club after rival Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar said over the weekend he was withdrawing from the bidding process.Ratcliffe is trying to buy a 25% share of United and also wants to run soccer operations, a person with knowledge of the proposal told The Associated Press.The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.United’s American owners, the Glazer family, in November announced plans to seek outside investment that could have resulted in the sale of the 20-time English league champions.Ratcliffe initially bid for the family’s controlling stake of about 69%, while Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim wante...

‘Drop in the ocean’: UN-backed aid could soon enter Gaza from Egypt, but only at a trickle for now

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — President Joe Biden says he struck a deal with his Egyptian counterpart to allow a first run of 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, which Israel sealed off after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. Israel says it’s now ready to honor Biden’s request to let in limited humanitarian aid. The Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies and the United Nations are expected to help oversee the operation, in part to ensure the supplies from the convoy through the Rafah Crossing on Egypt’s border with Gaza reaches civilians — not combatants.Official at the U.N. health agency say they’re “praying” the first tranche will go in on Friday. Here’s a look at what could be expected to go in, and how.WHAT THE TRUCKS WILL CARRY The United Nations and its various agencies — the World Health Organization, the World Food Program, and children’s agency UNICEF among them — along with partners like Red Cross and Red Crescent groups are accustomed ...

Michigan Republican charged in false elector plot agrees to cooperation deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:55 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan Republican accused of participating in a fake elector plot had all criminal charges dropped Thursday after the state Attorney General’s office said a cooperation deal was reached. The defendant, James Renner, was one of 16 Republicans who investigators say met following the 2020 presidential election and signed a document falsely stating they were the state’s “duly elected and qualified electors.” Michigan was one of seven states where supporters of then-President Donald Trump signed certificates that falsely stated he won their states.President Joe Biden won Michigan by nearly 155,000 votes, a result confirmed by a GOP-led state Senate investigation in 2021.In July, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that each of the 16 would face eight criminal charges, including multiple counts of forgery. All 16 had pleaded not guilty.But on Thursday, the attorney general’s office announced during a court hearing in Ingham County that it ...